CILT(UK) Logistics Research Network
About this Event
LRN 2026 will showcase leading-edge research in all areas of Sustainable Global Trade and Integrated Logistics Systems for Resilient and Future Ready Supply Chains. We invite participants to submit papers at this influential event. Topics include, but are not limited to:
● Sustainable and Resilient Global Trade Systems: Strategy, Decarbonisation and Multimodal Supply Chain Integration - Sustainable sourcing and procurement, reshoring and nearshoring, strategic design for low-carbon competitiveness, risk, resilience and geopolitical disruption, alternative fuels and low-carbon propulsion (hydrogen, biofuels, electrification and charging infrastructure). Modal shift and green freight corridors across maritime, rail, road and
●Digital Transformation, Business Analytics and Decision Intelligence in Supply Chains - AI and data-driven optimisation, digital twins, predictive planning, robotics and automation, optimisation, simulation and scenario planning. Big-data architectures and
● Urban, Last-Mile and Consumer Logistics Futures - Urban consolidation strategies, micro-hubs and city logistics zones.
● Public Transport, Integrated Mobility and Sustainable Urban Transport Systems - Public transport planning and operations, multimodal integration between passenger and freight mobility and sustainable urban mobility strategies.
● Retail and Non-Food Consumer Supply Chains: Distribution, Fulfilment and Operational Performance – Retail distribution strategies, omnichannel and e-commerce fulfilment, inventory and demand planning, store and online integration, warehouse management and operational performance, health and safety in retail logistics operations, sustainable packaging and returns management and the transformation of non-food retail supply chains in response to evolving consumer behaviour.
● Food and Agri-Food Supply Chains: Sustainable Production, Cold Chains and Resilient Distribution - Food security and Agri-production logistics, cold-chain optimisation, perishable goods distribution, waste minimisation, low-carbon and resilient agri-food systems.
● Humanitarian, Crisis and Resilience Logistics - Humanitarian supply chain models, modern slavery, logistics for disaster response, emergency deployment systems, supply base resilience, crisis driven manufacturing adaptations, strengthening global and regional resilience capabilities.
● Green and Smart Logistics Infrastructure - Sustainable warehousing and logistics hubs, energy efficient buildings, port-centric and inland logistics parks, infrastructure resilience, renewable energy integration, design and governance of green transport corridors, sustainable construction and asset lifecycle management.
● Offshore-to-Onshore Energy Logistics, Maritime Renewables and Infrastructure Transition - Renewable energy generation from offshore wind, wave, tidal, floating solar, hydrogen and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Risk assessment, logistics for offshore
● Project Management for Logistics, Infrastructure and Supply-Chain Transformation - Project and programme management in logistics and transport, governance and risk frameworks.
● Educating and Upskilling the Future Leaders - Project and programme management in logistics and transport, governance and risk frameworks.
Note: If you are not a current Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, please be aware our membership team may be in touch with you using your email address provided regards membership opportunities. If you do not wish to be contacted please email and let us know at [email protected]
Day 1 - Weds
🕑: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
PhD & Early Year Career Researcher workshop
Host: Professor Elizabeth Jackson, Curtin University
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Buffet Lunch
Info: James Parsons Exhibition Area / Lower Lecture Theatre
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:10 PM
Welcome
Host: Professor Keith George, Liverpool John Moores
🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:20 PM
Conference Introduction & Thematic Agenda
Host: Dr Dimitrios Paraskevadakis FCILT, Conference Chair
🕑: 01:20 PM - 01:40 PM
Keynote 1
Host: John Lucy FCILT FIEx, John Lucy International
🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:00 PM
Keynote 2
Host: Ruth Wood │ Chief Executive Officer, Mersey Maritime
🕑: 02:10 PM - 03:30 PM
Parallel Sessions - Slot 1
Info: Presentations: 20 minutes each (15 min paper + 5 min Q&A)
🕑: 03:30 PM - 03:50 PM
Refreshment Break
Info: James Parsons Building Starbucks Area
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Parallel Sessions - Slot 2
Info: Presentations: 20 minutes each (15 min paper + 5 min Q&A)
🕑: 05:10 PM - 07:30 PM
LRN 2026 Award Ceremony & Light Buffet Dinner
Day 2 - Thurs
🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:55 AM
Registration with Tea & Coffee
Info: James Parsons Exhibition Area / Lower Lecture Theatre
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
The Irish Sea Rim — Strategic Logistics and Regional Connectivity
Host: Professor Phil Leigh University of Cumbria
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Parallel Sessions - Slot 3
Info: Presentations: 20 minutes each (15 min paper + 5 min Q&A)
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Poster Session & Networking
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Parallel Sessions - Slot 4
Info: Presentations: 20 minutes each (15 min paper + 5 min Q&A)
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Buffet Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:20 PM
Freight Decarbonisation Industry Plenary - Policy and Operational Priorities
Host: Kelly Hobson, Sustainable Logistics Live
🕑: 01:20 PM - 01:40 PM
Plenary: Multimodal Freight Intelligence — Industry Perspective
Host: Mr Chris Rowland │ Director, MDS Transmoda
🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:00 PM
Plenary: Zero-Emission Trucks — Deployment Challenges and Fleet Economics
Host: Mr Louis Jones │ DAF Leyland
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:20 PM
Plenary: Sustainable Infrastructure and Freight Logistics
Host: Mr Tim Morris
Info: Mr Tim Morris │ Principal Engineer, Arup │ Chair, ITS UK Freight, Logistics and Maritime Forum
🕑: 02:20 PM - 03:00 PM
Industry Panel Discussion: Decarbonisation in Action — Cross-Sector Challenges
Info: Panellists: Kelly Hobson, Chris Rowland, Louis Jones, Tim Morris, Prof Thanh Trung Ngyen│ Chaired by: Professor Geoff Clark
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Tea & Coffee Break
Info: James Parsons Building Starbucks Area
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Parallel Research Paper Sessions - Slot 5
Info: Presentations: 20 minutes each (15 min paper + 5 min Q&A)
🕑: 04:40 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing statement from CILT(UK) CEO Helen Hardy
Host: Ms Helen Hardy, CEO, CILT(UK)
🕑: 07:00 PM
30th Anniversary LRN Conference Dinner
Info: Hope Street Hotel │ Dress: Smart Casual
Day 3 - Friday
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration with Tea & Coffee
Info: James Parsons Building Atrium
🕑: 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Parallel Research Paper Sessions - Slot 6
Info: Presentations: 20 minutes each (15 min paper + 5 min Q&A)
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Concurrent Workshops - Delegates Self-Select
🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Closing Plenary - Workshop Outcomes & handover to LRN 2027
Info: Workshop outputs presented │ Key themes synthesised across all three days │ LRN 2027 host announced │ Dr Dimitrios Paraskevadakis FCILT │ Pro-Vice Chancellor, LJMU
🕑: 01:00 PM
Grab & Go Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
LJMU Maritime Simulator Visits - Allocated Slots
Info: Full-Mission Bridge Simulator & Engine Room Simulator │ Groups of 12-15 │ Sign up at the registration desk
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 95.00 to GBP 575.00
